Summary+Thesis Draft 1

Research Pathway:

Chatgpt Prompt: How do electric roads work and it's features? Provide references and site in APA 7 style.

Summary:

Electric roads, also known as electrified roads, are advanced infrastructure systems that transfer electricity from the road to vehicles, enabling dynamic charging while in motion, (Kumar & Yadav, 2023). According to the same source this innovative technology addresses significant challenges faced by electric vehicles (EVs), such as limited battery range and lengthy charging times . There are three main types of electric road systems (ERS): conductive, inductive, and overhead catenary. Conductive systems rely on physical contact with electrified tracks embedded in the road, exemplified by Sweden's eRoadArlanda, which uses a movable arm to connect vehicles to an electrified rail (European Road Transport Research Advisory Council, 2020). Inductive systems, such as Sweden’s SmartRoad Gotland, use electromagnetic fields to wirelessly charge vehicles via coils buried beneath the road (Schwirzke, Albrecht, & Jepsen, 2022). Overhead catenary systems, like Germany's eHighway project, use overhead wires to charge trucks via a pantograph (Kumar & Yadav, 2023). Electric roads offer several advantages, including dynamic charging that reduces reliance on stationary chargers, improved energy efficiency, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, making them an essential tool for decarbonization (European Road Transport Research Advisory Council, 2020). They also integrate smart technologies such as traffic and weather sensors (Schwirzke et al., 2022). However, challenges such as high installation costs, maintenance requirements, and the need for standardization hinder widespread adoption. Despite these obstacles, electric roads have the potential to revolutionize transportation by enabling sustainable and efficient EV charging (Kumar & Yadav, 2023).

Thesis Statement:

Electric roads are a critical innovation for global decarbonization. They promote the widespread adoption of sustainable transportation by directly addressing charging inefficiencies, and significantly contribute to lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

References

European Road Transport Research Advisory Council. (2020). Electric road systems: A solution for more sustainable road freight transport. Retrieved from https://www.ertrac.org

Kumar, R., & Yadav, S. (2023). Electric road systems: Recent advancements, challenges, and future trends. Energy Reports, 9, 197–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2023.01.022

Schwirzke, M., Albrecht, F., & Jepsen, T. (2022). The evolution of inductive electric roads: A technological perspective. Journal of Transportation Technology, 13(4), 115-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrantech.2022.03.008

Edited on 10/02/2025